A View from the Helm
By Captain Jim Gordon, NSA VA President
View from an ice covered cove
The blue Perception Kayak was covered in snow. Ice stretched from shore to shore in the cove. Winter had indeed arrived.
Happy thoughts of last year's sunrise kayaking made me keep the boat close to the water for one last adventure. I had become "frozen" in my thoughts.
As I struggled to move the kayak to the boatshed, I wondered why I remained "frozen" and clinging to the past. The answer was close.
I was spending my time reflecting on the past.
1. Reflect - to think quietly, to express a thought resulting from reflection (per Webster's Dictionary). While these moments were very positive, it was easy to remain trapped in past thoughts.
2. Expect - to anticipate or look forward (per Webster's again). Now my thoughts had gone the other direction. What was coming this year? Winter Conference in Tampa, a cruise to Europe in September, and many other future events sprang up. Once again, my mind had left the winter's day to escape to the future.
In both cases, I was clearly gone from the moment, unable to experience the sun and winter's natural beauty. What could I gain from just appreciating this moment?
3. Introspect - an examination of one's own thoughts and feelings (thanks again to Webster's). In just a moment of appreciation for nature, I felt the sun on my face and returned to the present moment.
It awoke my senses and flooded my being with energy.
In that moment, I knew what I wanted - sunny skies, a steady breeze for sailing and the British Virgin Islands on a 42 foot catamaran!
Took action and booked it for early February.
Where are your thoughts today? Are you reflecting or expecting?
What will return you to the present moment and into action?
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The Ying and Yang of Professional Speaking
January's workshop was a double-delicious deal! In this two-part meeting, veteran NSA VA members Rick Ott & Mary Foley shared their lessons-learned from a combined 37 years as professional speakers.
Rick Ott presented 23 of the best tips and techniques he's collected in over a quarter century as a professional speaker. For example, in the area of selling speeches, Rick recommends offering a two-speech combo for one attractive fee. "Do a general session and then a break-out . . . that configuration . . . at the same event," he says. It boosts your top-line and gives you another opportunity to sell product. Plus gives the meeting planner a good deal. Regarding platform dynamics, Rick points out that "not all speeches go well." However, there are several things you can do to increase the odds your presentations will go well. "Rehearse twice as many times as you think is necessary," he says. And, "beware . . . the most dangerous part of a speech is right before you go on. That's when screwy things happen that can doom you." Rick also recommends you think of your product as souvenirs of the event. "People want to take home a souvenir . . . why not your book or CD?" He also showed us how to promote (not sell) our products from the platform by giving away several books, and a loaded tote bag, at the end.
Mary Foley was the "ying" to Rick Ott's "yang" with her session "Snapshots of Success: A Conversation with Real Speakers about Their Journey" which combined interviewing that she honed when she co-hosted a radio show with "table talks" and large group interaction.
On the "hot seat" interview were NSA VA members Rosemary Rawlins and Wade Randolph who were asked to such questions as "What motivated you to get into this crazy work?", "What do you like most about what you do?" and "What's one mistake you made that you learned a ton from?" Rosemary and Wade also shared a picture of their past that says something about who they illustrated who they are and the speaker they are today. Rosemary shared a photo of her and her husband doing a recent VCU commencement speech that was a significant milestone. Wade shared a high school yearbook photo and the unexpected life events that progressed, including an encounter with Les Brown that changed his life.
In the spirit of Rosemary and Wade's openness, small table talks focused on "What's one thing that has worked and one thing that hasn't worked in building your speaking practice?" A large group Q & A rounded out the session. "I wanted to use this format today because it illustrates another way that speakers can offer a valuable experience for groups that isn't focused on your being an expert on a subject. The participants are the experts. As a facilitator, my job is to construct an interactive experience to bring it out" explained Mary. If you would like to brainstorm with Mary about how you can add structured interaction or a facilitated interview to your existing programs, reach out to her at [email protected].
This short summary does little to capture the energy and excitement of these monthly workshops-where speakers listen and learn for the betterment of themselves and the profession. NSA Virginia workshops are the best deal around! YOU NEED TO BE THERE.
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